John Deveau

John Deveau
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Yarmouth
In office
1998–1999
Preceded byRichie Hubbard
Succeeded byRichard Hurlburt
Personal details
Born
John William Deveau

(1961-09-02)September 2, 1961
Saint John, New Brunswick
DiedJuly 31, 2025(2025-07-31) (aged 63)
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Political partyNew Democratic Party
OccupationPersonal-care worker[1]

John William Deveau (September 2, 1961 – July 31, 2025[2]) was a Canadian politician, representing the electoral district of Yarmouth in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1998 to 1999. He was a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.

He was a personal-care worker, employed at an adult residential centre before entering provincial politics.[1] Deveau defeated incumbent Richie Hubbard and former MLA Alex McIntosh to win the Yarmouth riding for the NDP in the 1998 provincial election,[3][4] becoming the first New Democrat to ever win a seat in western Nova Scotia.[5] As MLA, he was the NDP critic for Fisheries and Aquaculture.[6] He was defeated by Progressive Conservative Richard Hurlburt when he ran for re-election in 1999.[7][8]

Deveau attempted to win back the seat in the 2006 election, but was again defeated by Hurlburt.[9] In 2010, Hurlburt resigned as MLA, and Deveau won the NDP nomination for the by-election held to replace him.[10] Deveau's attempt to win a seat in the NDP government was unsuccessful, as Zach Churchill won the seat for the Liberals.[11] Deveau finished the by-election in fourth place, winning 6.5% of the vote.[12][13]

Electoral history

By-election June 22, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Zach Churchill 3,986 50.67 +36.60
  Progressive Conservative Charles Crosby 2,628 33.40 -27.94
  Independent Belle Hatfield 673 8.55 Ø
  New Democratic Party John Deveau 513 6.52 -16.41
Green John Percy 48 0.61 -1.05
Atlantica Jonathan Dean 19 0.24 Ø
Total valid votes 7,867 100.00
Total rejected ballots 50 0.63
Turnout 7,917 59.25
Eligible voters 13,361
2006 Nova Scotia general election: Yarmouth
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Richard Hurlburt 5,170 64.30% 7.83%
New Democratic 1,667 20.73% 6.88%
Liberal Dolores Atwood 1,051 13.07% -16.60%
Green Matthew Granger 152 1.89%
Total valid votes 8,040 100.00
Total rejected ballots 20 0.25
Turnout 8,060 68.33
Eligible voters 12,849
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Yarmouth" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
1999 Nova Scotia general election: Yarmouth
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Richard Hurlburt 3,141 34.02% 4.05%
New Democratic 3,079 33.34% -11.47%
Liberal Phil DeMille 2,605 28.21% 2.99%
Nova Scotia Party Brian W. Hurlburt 409 4.43%
Total valid votes 9,234 100.00
Total rejected ballots 58 0.62
Turnout 9,292 74.54
Eligible voters 12,465
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Yarmouth" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
1998 Nova Scotia general election: Yarmouth
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic 3,931 44.81% 30.02%
Progressive Conservative Alex McIntosh 2,629 29.97% -2.11%
Liberal Richie Hubbard 2,212 25.22% -27.91%
Total valid votes 8,772 100.00
Total rejected ballots 53 0.60
Turnout 8,825 71.16
Eligible voters 12,402
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Yarmouth" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

References

  1. ^ a b "Defeated MLAs lining up new jobs". The Chronicle Herald. July 30, 1999. Archived from the original on January 22, 2003.
  2. ^ "Obituary for John William Deveau". Huskilson's Funeral Home. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  3. ^ "NDP ends long wait". The Chronicle Herald. March 25, 1998. Archived from the original on January 24, 2005.
  4. ^ "Election Returns, 1998 (Yarmouth)" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  5. ^ "Yarmouth assured NDP will fight for projects". The Chronicle Herald. April 2, 1998. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005.
  6. ^ "NDP caucus bio: John Deveau". Nova Scotia NDP. Archived from the original on January 8, 2001.
  7. ^ "Yarmouth recount confirms PC win". The Chronicle Herald. August 24, 1999. Archived from the original on September 4, 2003.
  8. ^ "Election Returns, 1999 (Yarmouth)" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "Election Returns, 2006 (Yarmouth)" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  10. ^ "Former MLA running for NDP". The Vanguard. May 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "Liberals win 2 N.S. byelections". CBC News. June 22, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  12. ^ "John Deveau finishes in fourth place". The Vanguard. June 22, 2010. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "Byelection Returns, 2010 (Yarmouth)" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 10, 2014.